If you are contemplating getting an abortion, you should do these three things first to help protect your health and assist you in understanding all your available options:
- Take a pregnancy test
- Get an ultrasound
- Speak with a professional
Why Do I Need A Pregnancy Test?
Even though home pregnancy tests are accessible and useful, there is room for faulty results. Receiving a medical-quality pregnancy test will be the first step to medically confirming your pregnancy so you can receive clear answers.
Reasons for incorrect pregnancy test results can be:
- User error
- Faulty test
- Tested too soon
- Diluted urine
Why Is An Ultrasound Important?
An ultrasound is important to help assess where the pregnancy is located, whether or not it is viable, and determine gestational age. This is key because some procedures, like medical abortion, are not recommended for women too far into pregnancy or who have ectopic pregnancies.
Furthermore, since one in three pregnancies end in miscarriage, being sure your pregnancy is viable can provide you with important information before seeking medical interventions.
Also, if a miscarriage has occurred, medical intervention may become necessary to protect your health and wellness. By having an ultrasound, medical professionals can assess and provide you with the options available.
Why Should I Speak with Someone?
Speaking to a trusted physician or local pregnancy center helps you understand any risks, benefits, health concerns, and options. The Mayo Clinic states, “Talk with your health care provider to get answers to your questions, help you weigh alternatives, and consider the impact the procedure may have on your future.”
Depending on the procedure, some risks to discuss are:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Damage or remaining tissue in the uterus
Who Can I Speak With?
If you want to understand how an abortion procedure might impact your health or wish to receive pregnancy confirmation, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
We provide no-cost, confidential pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and options counseling so you can decide what is right for you.
You deserve answers and clarity when making this decision; we are here to provide you with supportive, non-judgmental solutions and resources. You are not alone.
